This fall, students at Seton Hall University’s Stillman School of Business engaged in a range of projects designed to apply classroom concepts to real-world situations. The semester concluded with the “Concepts into Practice” showcase, where students presented work that spanned global business strategies, marketing analytics, sustainability efforts, and community service.
One project involved a partnership with the American Red Cross and corporate sponsor Lord Abbett. Led by students from Associate Professor Mary Kate Naatus’s Principles of Marketing course, the initiative focused on organizing a campus blood drive. Students managed strategic marketing, logistics, and outreach to promote community involvement and respond to the ongoing national demand for blood donations.
Allison Eggert commented on her experience: “The project reminded me that marketing is not just about promoting products, but also about inspiring action and creating meaningful change. Connecting with Seton Hall students and community members during tabling sessions and promotional activities was a great experience and helped me put marketing concepts into action.”
In another part of the program, presentations from Associate Professor Daniel Ladik’s Sports Poll gave students practical exposure to analyzing fan behavior and public opinion in sports using data-driven methods.
Students encountered challenges such as team coordination, motivating participation, tracking campaign results, and managing limited resources. These obstacles contributed to building skills like resilience, empathy, collaboration, and leadership.
Dean Joyce Strawser stated: “These experiences reflect the very heart of a Stillman education. When students put concepts into practice, learning becomes meaningful, skills become lasting and knowledge turns into impact. That connection between theory and action is what prepares our students to become thoughtful, ethical and effective leaders.”
